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SHADYSIDE -- There's something about late-game situations at Fleming Field that brings out the best in the Bellaire Big Reds.
Two seasons ago, the Big Reds engineered a late drive to stun Shadyside, 12-6.
The enjoyed a case of deja vu Friday night in front of a large turnout.
Trailing 12-7 in what was a 48-minute heavyweight fight, the Big Reds put together an impressive, 11-play, 64-yard drive that ate up all but 89 seconds of the final 5:17 that was capped when junior quarterback Jake Heatherington delivered a strike to classmate Jakob Dowling on a 29-yard post route for the game-winner, giving the Big Reds a cherished 13-12 victory.
"This (win) is a testament to our kids that they were able to get that (bad) taste from last week's loss to St. Clairsville out their mouths and play a game like this against a quality program and team like Shadyside," Bellaire head coach Mark Spigarelli said. "Both teams played great and this was probably one of the best games I've ever been a part of. Congratulations to our guys because they worked their (butts) off this week."
It looked like the Big Reds (7-1) were going to come up just short after they took their first lead of the game with 6:35 to go in the third quarter on a 10-yard burst by senior Colt Sehcrest. Steady placekicker Lucas Littell was true on the PAT.
Shadyside, which hadn't had much success offensively in the second half, put together its best drive of the game to open the fourth quarter.
The Tigers (6-1) went 65 yards in 13 plays. During the march, they made a concerted effort to to go to senior workhorse Wyatt Reiman. Like he seems to do most times, he delivered with 5-yard run with just 5:19 to play.
Now leading by five, head coach Mark Holenka opted for a 2-point conversion, but the pass sailed over the intended receiver's head, leaving the score at 12-7.
"It's not always that play, but it's often times a few little plays that add up," Shadyside head coach Mark Holenka said. "You have to win a majority of the battles. We lost some key battles. On the two-point play, we didn't run the exact play that we had practiced. The little things make big things at the end."
During the aforementioned game-winning drive, the Big Reds converted a fourth-and-eight with a 9-yard pass from Heatherington to senior Jaiden Kesterson. And just prior to the touchdown pass, Heatherington found Dowling for a first down on a third-and-five play.
"They executed plays and we didn't," Holenka said. "Give credit to Bellaire because they came back well off a loss from last week and now we'll see if we can do the same."
Shadyside had one final possession, but Bellaire junior Brayden Roth thwarted any hopes of a Tigers comeback when he stepped in front of a Ben Wach pass on fourth down, allowing the Big Reds to run out the clock.
"I have a great amount of respect for Shadyside and their coaches," Spigarelli said. "Wach is a good athlete and he's going to be a good one at quarterback, but we played four deep and only wanted to give them underneath routes because I knew they only had two timeouts left."
While the Tigers went full bore with their workhorse in Reiman to a tune of 20 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown, the Big Reds went to their horse, too. Senior standout Colt Sechrest carried a season-high 18 times for 63 yards and scored. On top of his offensive production, he was a menace defensively.
"I learned my lesson about getting Colt the ball more, especially in big-time games," Spigarelli admitted. "I apologize my team and community for that. We decided to ride him, especially in the second half. It was a great second half by both teams, and I am just glad we were able to come out on top."
Heatherington finished 10 of 21 for 164 yards and a touchdown with a pick. Dowling was his favorite receiver with five receptions for 75 yards and a score.
The Tigers scored the game's first touchdown on a 15-yard run by Ben Wach, who weaved his way through and past a couple of Big Reds defenders en route to the end zone. The PAT, however, was wide.
"It's another one of those plays that seems like a little one at the time," Holenka said of the PAT. "The kicker wasn't quite ready and the ball was snapped. These are the things we have to clean up."
Both teams are back in action on Friday. Shadyside closes out its home regular-season schedule when Bridgeport visits, while the Big Reds remain on the road at Union Local.